Long Ridge Open Space Preserve

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Skyline Boulevard Saratoga, California

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FAQ

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve FAQ
General Information
Q: What is Long Ridge Open Space Preserve?
A: Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is a 4.3-mile loop trail located in Saratoga, California, offering diverse recreational opportunities including hiking, cycling, and equestrian use. It’s a significant area of conservation and research focused on Oak Tree protection and wildfire resilience.
Q: Where is Long Ridge Open Space Preserve located?
A: The preserve is situated at CA-35/Skyline Blvd., La Honda, California. It’s approximately 3.6 miles north of its intersection with Highway 9 and about 3.3 miles south of its intersection with Page Mill Road. There is additional parking available across Skyline Blvd. at the Grizzly Flat trailhead and in the Caltrans parking area at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 35.
Q: What types of activities are available at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve?
A: Visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, and equestrian activities. The preserve offers a variety of trails suitable for different skill levels.
Q: When is Long Ridge Open Space Preserve open?
A: Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is open 365 days a year from dawn until one-half hour after sunset.
Q: How much does it cost to visit Long Ridge Open Space Preserve?
A: Admission to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is free of charge.
Trail Information
Q: What trails are available at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve?
A: The preserve features trails including Coal Creek, El Sereno, Fremont Older, La Honda Creek, and Long Ridge. Other trails include Chestnut Trail, Pulgas Ridge, St. Joseph’s Hill, Sierra Azul, and Windy Hill.
Q: Are the trails suitable for all skill levels?
A: The preserve offers trails with varying lengths and difficulties, catering to a range of experience levels.
Q: Is Long Ridge Open Space Preserve connected to other preserves?
A: Yes, Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is connected to Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve via one of the longest continuous segments of the Bay Area Ridge Trail (13 miles from Sanborn-Skyline County Park to the northern boundary of Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve).
Rules and Regulations
Q: Are dogs allowed at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve?
A: Yes, dogs are permitted on designated trails, but with specific restrictions. Dogs must be kept on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times.
Q: What are the dog rules?
A: Dogs are allowed only in designated preserves or areas as posted. Moving dog waste off trail is not permitted. A maximum of three dogs per person is allowed. Visitors are responsible for bagging and removing all dog waste.
Q: Are there any restrictions on horse riding?
A: Horses are allowed on designated trails with helmet recommendations.
Q: Are there any prohibited activities?
A: Drones, model airplanes, and model rockets are not permitted. Swimming, wading, or water-contact activities are prohibited.
Q: What are the parking regulations?
A: Parking is available at the Peters Creek trailhead on the west side of Skyline Boulevard and at the Grizzly Flat trailhead.
Q: What is the policy on events?
A: A general access permit is required for events that may involve twenty (20) people.
Safety and Considerations
Q: Are there any hazards to be aware of?
A: Long Ridge Open Space Preserve offers a chance to explore native wildlife, including ticks, and has natural hazards. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings.
Q: What should I do if I encounter wildlife?
A: Visitors are instructed to be mindful of wildlife and avoid approaching, startling, or feeding it.
Q: What should I do about heatstroke?
A: Dogs are susceptible to heatstroke due to their lack of sweat glands and need to carry water and limit strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day. Hikers should hike in the shade whenever possible.
Q: What should I do after my hike?
A: When your hike is finished, give your dog a thorough once-over for ticks and other bugs.
Q: What is the policy on “Leave No Trace”?
A: Visitors are expected to follow the “leave no trace” philosophy, encouraging responsible waste disposal, maintaining trail cleanliness, and preserving the natural environment. Visitors are responsible for bagging and removing all dog waste to protect wildlife, prevent accidents, and minimize environmental impact.
Additional Information
Q: Where can I find a map of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve?
A: Maps of the preserve are available on the Midpeninsula Open Space District website: [https://www.openspace.org/](https://www.openspace.org/)
Q: How can I stay updated on trail access and events?
A: Sign up to receive updates and notifications about dog trail access at Midpen preserves by visiting [https://www.openspace.org/](https://www.openspace.org/) and registering for their newsletter.
Q: What is the history of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve?
A: Originally a cattle ranch, the area later served as an alternative boarding school. It’s now a significant area of conservation and research focused on Oak Tree protection and wildfire resilience.
Q: Where did the information about the preserve come from?
A: Information was sourced from the Midpeninsula Open Space District, Dogtrekker.com, and Wikipedia, with details about the origins of the area's development.

About

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve in Saratoga, California, offers a rewarding experience for outdoor enthusiasts, providing a 4.3-mile loop trail perfect for hiking, cycling, and equestrian activities.

Connected to Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve via a substantial ridge, this preserve features a diverse landscape of majestic canyon oaks, beautiful oak woodlands, wildflowers, and a memorial bench dedicated to Wallace Stegner.

It’s a significant area of conservation and research focused on Oak Tree protection and wildfire resilience, attracting hikers, cyclists, and equestrians alike.

This preserve offers a safe and enjoyable space for visitors, including equestrians and cyclists.

It features a long ridge open space preserve with designated trails for both.

Trails are marked on a map and are crucial for maintaining natural resources and wildlife.

Regulations include: Yield to equestrians, Leave no trace – pack out everything you pack in, Avoid blocking trails, Be mindful of wildlife – do not approach, startle, or feed it, Dogs are permitted on designated trails (leash required – 6-foot or less), with a maximum of three dogs per person.

Bag dog waste.

Drones, model airplanes, and model rockets are not permitted.

Horses are allowed on designated trails with helmet recommendations.

Swimming, wading, or water-contact activities are prohibited.

A general access permit is required for events that may involve twenty (20) people. Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, Saratoga, California – a ridge park with natural hazards, offering a chance to explore native wildlife, including ticks, and learn about the area’s history.

It’s a place with a long history, originally as a cattle ranch and later as an alternative boarding school.

Expect variable weather conditions.

The Long Ridge Open Space Preserve in Saratoga, California, is a sanctuary for wildlife and requires a leash due to potential disturbance and danger to animals.

Visitors are instructed to bag and remove dog waste to protect wildlife, prevent accidents, and minimize environmental impact.

The preserve adheres to the “leave no trace” philosophy, encouraging visitors to responsibly dispose of waste and maintain cleanliness of trails, shoes, and waterways.

A pilot program has installed waste receptacles at Pulgas Ridge, Fremont Older, Lower Windy Hill, and Thornewood Open Space Preserves, and success depends on visitors’ cooperation.

Dogs are susceptible to heatstroke due to their lack of sweat glands and need to carry water and limit strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day.

When your hike is finished, give your dog a thorough once-over for ticks and other bugs.

Sign up to receive updates and notifications about dog trail access at Midpen preserves.

The history of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is connected to the broader context of National Park development in the United States.

Initially established as part of the National Capital Parks line in 1790, mirroring the creation of the District of Columbia, the preserve’s roots extend back to the early conservation efforts in the nation.

Subsequent proclamations of National Monuments, beginning with Theodore Roosevelt, built upon this foundation, and the preserve continues to be managed within this historical framework.

The establishment of the Long Ridge Preserve is also relevant to the development of National Lakeshores, beginning in 1966, which represents a later phase of the US National Park System's expansion.

Parking for Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is at Peters Creek trailhead on the west side of Skyline Boulevard, about 3.6 miles north of its intersection with Highway 9, and approximately 3.3 miles south of its intersection with Page Mill Road.

If you are coming from the north on Skyline Blvd., the pullout is just past Portola Heights Road on the right.

From the south, the pullout for the parking area is near the Palo Alto city limits sign on the right.

There is additional parking across Skyline Blvd. at the Grizzly Flat trailhead.

Parking is also available in the Caltrans parking area at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 35.

Address: CA-35/Skyline Blvd., La Honda, California.

All Midpeninsula Preserves are open to the public free of charge, 365 days a year from dawn until one-half hour after sunset.

With options for short hikes, rides to scenic overlooks, and longer loop trips, Long Ridge Open Space Preserve provides something for everyone.

Connected to Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve by one of the longest continuous segments of the Bay Area Ridge Trail (13 miles from Sanborn-Skyline County Park to the northern boundary of Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve), Long Ridge Preserve is popular among hikers, cyclists, and equestrians alike.

History

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve in Saratoga, California, boasts a rich and layered history dating back centuries.

Initially, this area was utilized as a cattle ranch, a prominent feature of the local landscape until the 19th century.

Later, in the late 1800s, it transitioned into an alternative boarding school, offering a unique educational experience.

The land’s significance extends beyond its residential past; it served as a vital segment of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, a crucial route connecting Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi.

The Old Natchez Trace, originally an Indian path, evolved into a wilderness road and, by 1800, a highway facilitating trade and communication between the old Southwest and the Union.

The final link of the Natchez Trace Parkway was completed in 2003, extending the historic route and further enhancing the preserve’s connection to California’s past.

The area’s development is intrinsically linked to the National Capital Parks line, established in 1790 and continuing through 1933.

This system, originally focusing on lands surrounding the District of Columbia, established a foundation for the preservation of natural spaces within the United States.

The preservation efforts reflect a broader national trend, with Presidents beginning in 1906 and continuing through 1933 utilizing authority granted through the Antiquities Act to create National Monuments – a total of 82 monuments were established, including seven along the Natchez Trace.

These efforts demonstrate a longstanding commitment to conserving significant natural and historical landscapes.

The development of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is a testament to the ongoing evolution of California's open spaces, blending natural conservation with a vital connection to the state’s rich historical and transportation heritage.

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